After years hidden away, Oldham’s memorial to six local volunteers who died fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war has been restored to public view, marking both a victory for campaigners and a renewed tribute to the town’s proud International Brigade heritage, says ROB HARGREAVES
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How to get your plot ready for a tasty crop of celery
MAT COWARD explains the preparation needed this month for the moisture-loving marshland plant
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MODERN varieties of celery aren’t too hard to grow, but you’ll improve your chances of success considerably if you prepare the soil in advance.
Last autumn was arguably the best time for that, but if you’ve had to sell your time machine to pay the gas bill, then late winter or early spring will do fine.
In the wild, celery is a marshland plant, and our cultivated types have inherited that need for constant moisture. It’s a crop that must never be allowed to dry out completely, even at the height of summer. The ground it’s grown in should be rich, deep and moisture-retentive.
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